LiveMusic Posted March 9, 2005 Share Posted March 9, 2005 Saw Cat Stevens final concert on PBS. He was playing an Ovation which had a pickup but the guitar was also mic'd. Just wondering if any of you do that, as well. And what does it do for you? Any drawbacks? I'm talking about a mic on a stand. > > > [ Live! ] < < < Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted March 9, 2005 Share Posted March 9, 2005 I like the sound of putting a mic in front of it, and blending that sound with the pickup sound. It takes the harsh edge off the "pickup only" sound...but, it's kind of a pain in the ass. "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strat0124 Posted March 9, 2005 Share Posted March 9, 2005 Like Ted said, however if you use a condensor you ain't got to be right up in it (how's that for proper English?). Doesn't work well if you're competing with an electric band, lots of howlin and sheeit goin on probably. But for all acoustic stuff, its the bomb. I never have liked the plugged in acoustic tone, from any configuration and/or make. To me it is to acoustic tone what a POD is to amp tone. Not bad, just not great. Down like a dollar comin up against a yen, doin pretty good for the shape I'm in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funk Jazz Posted March 9, 2005 Share Posted March 9, 2005 for playing live, i wouldn't bother unless i was recording. too much hassle, like ted said, to run live mics through the p.a. what kind of moron would mic an ovation anyway? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Eldon Posted March 9, 2005 Share Posted March 9, 2005 i dont know why anyone would mic an ovation. they're not the greatest "natural sounding" guitars. http://www.purevolume.com/seaneldon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennyf Posted March 9, 2005 Share Posted March 9, 2005 If I wanted to go that route, I'd get one of them there pickup systems that incorporate an in-the-guitar condenser. band link: bluepearlband.com music, lessons, gig schedules at dennyf.com STURGEON'S LAW --98% of everything is bullshit. My Unitarian Jihad Name is: The Jackhammer of Love and Mercy. Get yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strat0124 Posted March 9, 2005 Share Posted March 9, 2005 I guess I just love the sound of one big condensor with five guys moving in and out of the pocket for their break. Its very doable even for a corner of a coffeehouse gig. Done it and got the t-shirt. Down like a dollar comin up against a yen, doin pretty good for the shape I'm in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip OKeefe Posted March 9, 2005 Share Posted March 9, 2005 Originally posted by Dennyf: If I wanted to go that route, I'd get one of them there pickup systems that incorporate an in-the-guitar condenser. That's the route I would go too. In the studio, it's almost ALWAYS mics... the only time I run direct is when a client insists on it... but I nearly always mic "in addition to" the P/U, because most onboard piezo pups sound like poop to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PBBPaul Posted March 9, 2005 Share Posted March 9, 2005 When doing my (low-volume) solo acoustic gig, I don't run direct at all. I mic the guitar with a nice condenser. I think the sound is far better and the ability to adjust volume by moving around a little bit is nice too. When I have played acoustic in a band situation, I run direct and don't mic. I'm with Sean. I don't know why anyone would mic an Ovation. I really don't like the way they sound mic'd or direct. Our new and improved website Today's sample tune: Lonesome One Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dak Lander Posted March 9, 2005 Share Posted March 9, 2005 I've done lots of gigs miking the acoustic guitar. If you're doing something that requires a loud stage volume it's often a feedback nightmare but under normal volumes and especially for a solo act it's the way to go though you may want to run a pickup in conjunction with the outboard mic. Personally, I'm not a fan of onboard mics. Way too much handling noise incorporates into the music. Our Joint "When you come slam bang up against trouble, it never looks half as bad if you face up to it." The Duke... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasticsound Posted March 9, 2005 Share Posted March 9, 2005 I usually stick with my L.R. Baggs Ribbon Pickup for live gigs. (Like I've played one in a l-o-n-g time, anyway!) The recording of Sparkle Shoes was done with a Shure KSM32 and the Baggs pickup hard panned to opposite sides. I had to do a lot of work to balance them, but it yielded a very interesting track. I would like to use the KSM32 or my RE20 when I begin playing live again, because it picks up the Michael Hedges-esque percussion techniques much better than the pickup. (Slapping notes or harmonics on the neck, finger-tapping on the top, etc.) It's easiest to find me on Facebook. Neil Bergman Soundclick fntstcsnd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennyf Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 Originally posted by Dak's All Folks...: Personally, I'm not a fan of onboard mics. Way too much handling noise incorporates into the music. Very true. However I've heard people use this to their advantage, getting lots of cool percussive effects. Michael Hedges, Tommy Emmanuel, Larry Berwald (formerly of Wet Willie), and a couple of young pups around here called the Superpickers (they will one day be famous, you heard it here first) all turn the "handling noise" into some purty cool rhythmic embellishments. band link: bluepearlband.com music, lessons, gig schedules at dennyf.com STURGEON'S LAW --98% of everything is bullshit. My Unitarian Jihad Name is: The Jackhammer of Love and Mercy. Get yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dak Lander Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 Originally posted by Dennyf: Originally posted by Dak's All Folks...: Personally, I'm not a fan of onboard mics. Way too much handling noise incorporates into the music. Very true. However I've heard people use this to their advantage, getting lots of cool percussive effects. Michael Hedges, Tommy Emmanuel, Larry Berwald (formerly of Wet Willie), and a couple of young pups around here called the Superpickers (they will one day be famous, you heard it here first) all turn the "handling noise" into some purty cool rhythmic embellishments. Yeah, I can see that but all that can be had, if needed, with an off board mic without the un-intended scuffs and other noises. Then again, I ain't those guys and don't have their reps. Our Joint "When you come slam bang up against trouble, it never looks half as bad if you face up to it." The Duke... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dak Lander Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 Originally posted by Geenard: I guess I just love the sound of one big condensor with five guys moving in and out of the pocket for their break. Its very doable even for a corner of a coffeehouse gig. Done it and got the t-shirt. Gene, that is one of the most awesome things to watch and hear. 'Problem is, most can't do it 'cause they don't want to put in the time to practice until it becomes second nature. Lord knows, it's easier to mic everyone individually and let the soundman handle it. What's the new axiom? Never do what it takes to look and sound professional, let the soundguy fix it in the mix? Our Joint "When you come slam bang up against trouble, it never looks half as bad if you face up to it." The Duke... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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